Encinitas Undercover

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Initially planned as a satellite tasting room when it was first announced last year, Modern Times Beer’s new project in Encinitas, dubbed the The Far West Lounge, has since evolved into a full-fledged vegan restaurant. This will be Modern Times’ first venue with a food component in San Diego, although the Point Loma-based brewery recently launched beer-focused eateries in Los Angeles and Portland.

As founder Jacob McKean notes, “When we first signed our lease on this location, we didn’t have a single operating kitchen. Now we have two, with several more in planning, and the process of developing the menu and building the restaurant side of our business has been incredible. I’m extremely excited to now be in a position to bring our food program to Encinitas.”

The switch from tasting room to restaurant came in response to an appeal from a local community group. Last month, the new proposal was unanimously approved at a Encinitas Planning Commission and the appeal window recently closed with no new appeals made. McKean says that the original layout of the 150-seat space on S. Coast Highway remains the same, design-wise, save for office space that has now been swapped for kitchen.

Once the domain of hippies and weirdos, "plant-based" or vegan diets are becoming more mainstream as advocates tout health and environmental benefits. Encinitas already has at least three fully vegan restaurants: Plant Power, which replicates traditional American fast food, near the Santa Fe Vons; the fast-casual Native Foods next to Ralph's in New Encinitas; and Leucadia's long-standing raw food Peace Pies.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

The man charged with a hit and run crash that seriously injured an Encinitas mother entered a surprise guilty plea Wednesday in North County, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's office.

Prosecutors said Justin Parker was driving the white truck that hit Ashley Mullins Lane on Encinitas Blvd. on Sept. 22. Witnesses said Parker got out of his truck, spoke to them, but left the scene.

Lane suffered severe injuries and bone fractures that led to multiple strokes and partial paralysis, her parents said. They told 10News she has mobility issues on her left side and is left-handed.

Lane has two young children. A GoFundMe account established for the family raised more than $44,000 of its $50,000 goal.